Robert Ebsen

I have to admit I have not listened to music in many years.  Does “Rock Around the Clock” sound familiar?  I remember recording song after song from the radio onto my reel-to-reel tape recorder.

Actually, there was a time, 10 years ago, when I did dance at home to music.

The problem was that I danced in my bare feet on the tile floor.

A couple months later, I wound up with very painful plantar fasciitis.  That was the end of that.

I always have considered myself to be a visually-oriented sort of guy.  It came as a surprise when I discovered that not only does music hath charms, it hath what I need to exercise.

Exercise.  It’s one thing that I know I should do, but it is easy to put off. It will help me build up my muscle strength so that I can do what I have been hesitant to do: Walk around holding my 10-month-old granddaughter.

Enter Diana Ross and the Supremes.  It was their music that the teacher of my Balance Class for seniors played while we exercised in class last week.  I took a chance. I bought the album, “The 1’s,” on iTunes.

A miracle happened.  When I play that music on my iPhone, wearing my tennis shoes, whether in my computer room or in my pool, I turn into a natural exercise dancer.

I don’t even know I am exercising.  I move my arms and legs, my torso, all other parts of my body in time to the music.

I use hand weights, too.

So much fun!

Who knows where this will lead?

Maybe to my improved muscle strength and balance.  It may also lead to a newfound love for music.

Will my brain become more nimble as I construct my popup cards, create my large posters, design my bible commentator flashcards, and identify new trees?

What if Diana Ross helps me to move into new hobby areas?  What if Diana Ross helps me to love music?

What if I get plantar fasciitis again?  God forbid.

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com